Quinta Brunson Becomes First Black Woman To Win Best Comedic Actress Emmy In 4 Decades
Quinta Brunson has another trophy to add to her growing collection. Monday night (Jan. 15), the 34-year-old accepted the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her starring role as Janine on Abbott Elementary. With her win, Brunson becomes the first Black woman to take the category in over four decades, the last being Isabel Sanford for The Jeffersons in 1981.
This is her second consecutive year being nominated in the category, and she is the seventh Black woman to be nominated as lead comedy actress since the category was created in 1966. In the years since, Diahann Carroll, Nell Carter, Phylicia Rashad, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Issa Rae have also been nominated without wins. The category notably excluded any Black leading ladies from hit sitcoms throughout the 1990s and 2000s including Martin, My Wife & Kids, Girlfriends, Moesha, The Game, and more.
Outfitted in a crushed satin Christian Dior gown, the Philadelphia native graced the stage accepting the career landmark honor.
“I don’t even know why I’m so emotional. I think, like, the Carol Burnett of it all,” explained a heartfelt speech Brunson accepting the trophy. “Thank you so much. I love making Abbott Elementary so much, and I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy. I say that every time. I just love comedy so much. I’m so happy to be able to get this.”
She continued through tears, “I love my mom, my dad, my sisters, my brothers, my entire family so much. I love my husband. I’m so happy. I love my cast. I love Abbott Elementary. Thank you so much.”
The award-winning series is set to debut its third season on Feb. 7, 2024. Showrunner Justin Halpern describes the pending installment as having a “really interesting” overarching theme, per Decider. Watch Quinta Brunson accept the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series above and check out the Abbott Elementary season three teaser below.
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